FRONTLINE marks the first anniversary of the Iraqi war with a two-hour documentary investigation that recounts the key strategies, battles, and turning points of the war from both sides of the battlefield. Through firsthand accounts from many of the war's key participants -- from strategists in Washington to the soldiers who actually fought the battles -- "The Invasion of Iraq" promises to be a definitive television history of America's most recent war.

» A Note to Teachers:

For classes in Journalism, Social Studies, Language Arts and Current Events; Grade level 9th - 12th

On Jan. 29, 2002, in his State of the Union address, President George W. Bush declared that the countries of Iraq, Iran and North Korea constituted "an axis of evil" that threatened world peace. One year later, in his Jan. 28, 2003 address, the president announced that the U.S. would "lead a coalition to disarm" Saddam Hussein even without a United Nations mandate should the Iraqi leader refuse to give up his weapons. The interval between these two speeches was filled with debate both within and outside of the U.S. government over the number of troops needed to invade Iraq, the expense of the war and the process of rebuilding of Iraq after the fall of Baghdad. The documentary, "The Invasion of Iraq" examines the time period from the buildup to war to the fall of Baghdad and the post-war continuation of violence through the eyes of the war's strategists and combatants. The program and accompanying teacher's guide allow students to:

Learn about the circumstances leading up to the invasion; the war's major battles; and the post-war situation on the ground

Study world opinion on the invasion of Iraq

Consider the attitudes of soldiers and their families about the war

Examine the individuals and political entities involved in the decision to go to war

This teacher guide was developed by Simone Bloom Nathan of Media Education Consultants. It was written by Pat Grimmer, chair of the Social Studies Department at Carbondale Community High School in Carbondale Illinois. Ellen Greenblatt of University High School San Francisco was an adviser.